[Vwdiesel] 1980 vw diesel timing belt broken when trying to start

[ken tolbert]

I have what appears to be a major problem;

1980 VW diesel rabbit, had not run for a long time, primed everything and
tried to get it running.

Result: Timing Belt broke as it tried to start. Stopped immediately, 
but.....

I realize that there could be major damage, however, I will not be able to 
tell
until another belt is installed.

Being a pure neophyte to diesels, I immediately got a Benchley manual and 
read it.
The manual discusses replacing timing belts and all the steps, tools ,etc 
but not how
to go about setting TDC, position of lobes on camshaft (intake versus 
exhaust) at #1 or
the position of the offset at the end of the camshaft.

Not clear on a couple of areas;

Since cylinder #1 is the one near the gears, (closest to the fender on the 
passenger side) besides the TDC mark on the flywheel,
should the offset of the camshaft be pointing down when at TDC?

Since the engine rotates clockwise when standing behind the timing mark 
opening
on the transaxle, then to start rotating the engine to get to TDC, the bolt 
on the crankshaft sprocket must be turned counter-clockwise, which opens the 
door to loosen the crankshaft sprocket bolt. How does one overcome this 
problem?

I also read that to rotate the engine, can cause damage to the camshaft, 
bend valves, damage pistons.

The above implies that to reduce the amount of damage, the camshaft assembly 
should be removed, but I can find no documentation to that effect.

Please advise.
Thanks.

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